delphipsmith | Entries tagged with sadness

If you have been looking for something you can do to help with the heart-breaking tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, here are two good options:

World Central Kitchen is a major player in providing food to displaced people.

https://wck.org/
https://donate.wck.org/give/393234#!/donation/checkout

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières is also working to set up teams in neighboring countries - Poland, Romania, Slovakia, etc.

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/countries/ukraine

It may not seem like much, but every little bit helps and these two organizations are solid ones that will make good use of funds. See their rankings on CharityNavigator for more information: DWB/MSF and World Central Kitchen

How am I? grieving

In less than 150 words, this is hands down the best statement of why/how both standing for the national anthem and kneeling for it are not just appropriate and valid choices, but also respectful, important, necessary, and yes, patriotic. So far as I can find, this was written by Andrew Freborg, a Libertarian from Oregon. I don't know when it was originally posted (last fall, perhaps?), but I took it from this post. I'm grateful that someone has put into words so much of what I've felt about this over the past few months.

I stand to honor the promise the flag represents.
You kneel because that promise has been broken.

I stand to affirm my belief that all are created equal, and to fight alongside you for that promise.
You kneel because too few stand with you.

I stand because we can be better.
You kneel to remind us to be better.

I stand to honor all that have fought and died so that we may be free.
You kneel because not all of us are.

I stand because I can.
You kneel for those who can't.

I stand to defend your right to kneel.
You kneel to defend my right to stand.

I stand because I love this country.
You kneel because you love it too.

How am I? grateful

Apparently they used to be in California, thus subject to US law etc. No longer, apparently. It's not clear what this will mean for the non-Russian arm of LJ, but you can read lots more here, including links and directions on how to port your entire LJ to Dreamwidth.

Interesting in light of recent events with Obama, Trump, etc. I hope this isn't some sort of omen for how 2017 is going to go :P

How am I? vexed

I can't even. I just can't even.

I know that there are many people in this country who feel angry, left behind, ignored, trampled on, betrayed by their representatives in government. I know that both parties have done a shit job addressing their very real concerns. I know that many of us are desperate for some kind of change, some kind of shift in government, a return to its proper nature of being by, for, and of the people. And I am so, so, so sorry that we as a country didn't have a better choice last Tuesday (*koff*Bernie*koff*).

But that so many people were willing to sacrifice dignity, courtesy, tolerance, civility, and common human decency in an effort to get that change... that, I cannot understand. And that racists and bigots have the apparent sanction of our president-elect is absolutely shameful.

If "making America great again" requires jettisoning the very things that underpin a civilized society, then I don't want that particular flavor of greatness.

How am I? depressed

"There is so much that is matchless to remember about Alan Rickman. ..." ==> Ian McKellen's tribute to Alan

The New Yorker special cartoon tribute

"...His sensational breakthrough came in 1986 as Valmont, the mordant seducer in Christopher Hampton’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses. He was nominated for a Tony for the part; Lindsay Duncan memorably said of her co-star’s sonorous performance that audiences would leave the theatre wanting to have sex “and preferably with Alan Rickman”. ==> The Guardian

I would have killed to see him as Valmont. Just imagine!

How am I? heartbroken

Please Fates, no more. I don't think I could bear it.

Alan Rickman, Harry Potter and Die Hard actor, dies aged 69

When I heard, the first thing I did was turn to LJ, because I knew all of you would be mourning with me.

How am I? devastated

DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, said Death.
JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH.
-- Terry Pratchett, Good Omens

Sir Terry Pratchett, renowned fantasy author, dies aged 66
You will be missed...

“All right," said Susan. "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need... fantasies to make life bearable."

REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.

"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little—"

YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.

"So we can believe the big ones?"

YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING.

"They're not the same at all!"

YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET— Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME...SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.

"Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what's the point—"

MY POINT EXACTLY.

-- Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

How am I? sorrowful

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HSU IT Department

#!/usr/bin/girl

Entries tagged with sadness

Ways to help

Standing, kneeling, loving, respecting

LJ servers apparently moving to Russia

Still in mourning

Tributes to Alan

Leonard Nimoy. David Bowie. Now this.

Farewell, Sir Terry

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December 2022

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